Diego Costa launches astonishing attack on ex-Chelsea boss Antonio Conte over treatment before joining Atletico Madrid last summer
The 29-year-old striker says he regrets joining Chelsea, after the manner of his bust-up with Conte left him furious
DIEGO COSTA has once again slammed Antonio Conte for his role in his exit from Chelsea – and admitted he regrets joining the club in the first place.
Costa’s Stamford Bridge career came to an acrimonious end last summer after being informed by ex-Blues boss Conte via text that his services were longer required.
That led to Costa rejoining Atletico Madrid in a £57m deal – just three years after leaving the Spanish capital to join Chelsea for a fee of £32m.
Costa was a fans’ favourite throughout his time in West London, where he won two Premier League titles and the League Cup.
However, the manner of his falling out with Conte left a bad taste in his mouth – and he says it would have been easier for him if he’d avoided Chelsea in the first place.
: “I was wrong going to Chelsea because of their way of dealing with things.
“It was a very bad moment, but it wasn’t my fault.
“People said things, but time puts everything in its place. Look where the coach is now, look at Conte.
“(Diego) Simeone is a direct coach, and when he doesn’t love you, it’s clear and he facilitates it.
“At Chelsea it was the opposite.”
Costa said he has no regrets over leaving the Premier League giants, hinting he never should have left Atletico in the first place.
He added: “I left Chelsea at the right time. I won two Premier League titles.
“I already told him (Simeone) that he had to sign me to start winning things.
“He knows that I love him, and the group… almost all of them were still there when I returned.
“When I left, I was leaving some colleagues I’d known since I was ten – it was really hard.”
Costa has scored three goals in 15 games since returning to Spain, and helped them to Europa League glory last season by netting in the semi-final win over Arsenal.
